Contextual computer workspace

Abstract

A contextual computer workspace feature provides users with a mechanism to capture and output a state of a contextual computer workspace so that the user may continue working on a computer-based task as though no interruptions occurred. A state of a contextual computer workspace, including the window views and content thereof, is captured. Upon capturing a state of a contextual computer workspace, an indication to access the contextual computer workspace is received. The state of the contextual computer workspace is restored and the restored state is then output to communicate the contextual computer workspace to the user.

1 . In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user interface selection device, a method for capturing and outputting at least one state of at least one contextual computer workspace, the method comprising:
 receiving an indication to capture the at least one state of the at least one contextual computer workspace at a first instance, wherein the at least one contextual computer workspace comprises at least one window view;   identifying one or more of the at least one window view to capture in the at least one state of the at least one contextual computer workspace;   retrieving information pertaining to the one or more of the at least one identified window view;   storing the retrieved information to capture the at least one state of the at least one contextual computer workspace;   receiving, at a second instance, an indication to output the at least one contextual computer workspace having the state of the contextual computer workspace at the first instance; and   outputting the at least one contextual computer workspace having the state of the contextual computer workspace at the first instance, wherein at least one user may view and interact with the contextual computer workspace.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indication to capture the at least one state of the at least one contextual computer workspace is received upon the at least one user's selection to close the at least one contextual computer workspace, to close an application, to create a workspace, to log off an application, to log off an operating system, to capture the at least one state of the at least one contextual computer workspace, or to open another contextual computer workspace. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one window view to capture in the at least one state of the at least one contextual computer workspace comprises all open window views, window views specified by the at least one user, or all open window views with the exception of general window views. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information retrieved comprises the location of the at least one window view, the position of the at least one window view, the size of the at least one window view, the vertical order, the specific state of the at least one window view, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the size of the at least one window view comprises a percentage of a screen resolution. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information is stored in a database. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indication to output the at least one contextual computer workspace at a second instance is received upon the at least one user's selection to open the at least one contextual computer workspace, to open the at least one state of the at least one contextual computer workspace, or to log on to an application, web-based application, or operating system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one contextual computer workspace output further comprises an advertisement from an advertiser. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the advertisement relates to the at least one contextual computer workspace. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stored information is associated with an identifier. 
     
     
         11 . A method in a computer system for outputting a state of a contextual computer workspace, the method comprising:
 storing information retrieved from one or more window views having a first state of a contextual computer workspace, wherein the contextual computer workspace comprises one or more window views;   receiving an indication to access the contextual computer workspace; and   outputting the contextual computer workspace having a restored state that is substantially similar to the first state of the contextual computer workspace.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the indication to access the contextual computer workspace is received upon at least one user's selection to open the contextual computer workspace via a workspace selection tool. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the workspace selection tool comprises a list of contextual computer workspace names, tabs of contextual computer workspaces, icons indicating contextual computer workspaces, thumbnails displaying contextual computer workspace images, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A computer system for capturing a first state of a contextual computer workspace comprising:
 an identifying component to identify at least one open window view;   a retrieving component to retrieve information pertaining to one or more of the at least one open window view identified by identifying component; and   a storing component to store the information retrieved by the retrieving component.   
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 14  further comprising a capturing component configured to receive an indication to capture the first state of the contextual computer workspace. 
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 15 , wherein the indication to capture the first state of the contextual computer workspace is provided by at least one user. 
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 14 , further comprising a determining component configured to determine one or more of the at least one window views to include in the first state of the contextual computer workspace. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a receiving component configured to receive an indication to access the contextual computer workspace;   a restoring component configured to restore a state of the contextual computer workspace so that the restored state of the outputted contextual computer workspace will be substantially similar to the first state of the contextual computer workspace; and   an outputting component configured to output the restored state of the contextual computer workspace.   
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 18 , wherein the outputting component outputs the contextual computer workspace having an advertisement. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 19 , wherein the advertisement comprises a contextual advertisement.